The Tuesday with a test drive

Hi,

Ok - work is work.  It is long.  But Christmas is coming!  Yay!

After work I went home with Mike in an Uber and Mike ordered pizza.  Then - then!  I went around to Anna's house and picked up her car.  Mike is very interested in buying her car so she sorted out insurance for us for a day or two, and we borrowed her car.

Well, I haven't done something for about 4 days that put such a huge smile on my face (ok - crossing the finish line after riding around Taupo does make me smile hugely).  This car is such a pleasure to drive.  I think I might have fallen a little bit in love with it.  Mike had his Christmas party after work, and had a few drinks, so it was all mine to test drive.

I got back home and asked the boys to pile in, and we went out to see Sally.  Just because!  Sheer pleasure.

Anyway, eventually we got back home, and Mike and I cleared the MX5 garage and the car just fit in ok.  We need to clear out some stuff to get both cars in.  Mike has a new workbench which we now need to fit in along the back wall.  A job for a weekend soon.

Busy day today.  User group tonight.  And we need to return the car.  Oh.  Hahahah.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday back at work post Taupo

Hi,

After a tough day at work, I rode home.  I managed to get a RPM class in, which I survived.  But riding home made my quads protest by the time I got home.  Evidence that I did do something at the weekend.

I got some dinner ready for Toby and then jumped in the car to meet Mike at the supermarket in town.  We checked out the building at 61 Molesworth St that is being demolished as it is quite close to the supermarket.  It really looked like a post apocalyptic scene.  Or the fight scene in a Transformers movie.  Normal looking building, it a chunk taken out.

And if my phone was communicating with anything, I would paste in a photo.  But for a phone, it seems to be doing a good impersonation of a brick right about now.

We did our grocery shopping with me in a slightly crazy mood.  Fortunately Mike still loves me lots.  Got home and fed Mike and then managed to do a few of our tasks for the evening before getting to bed.

Nice ride in this morning - hope the dry weather continues.

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend of round Taupo cycle challenge

Hi,

What an awesome weekend.  I left Wellington on Thursday afternoon and hit major traffic on the way out through to Waikanae.  What is with that route?  Awful - glad I don't live that way.

Got to Palmerston North at 6.40pm or so and found my way to Iona and Col's house ok.  Iona and I went out for dinner in town.  The town was heaving - it was a graduation night for the local uni.  We eventually found a Thai restaurant that could fit us in and enjoyed some yummy food.

Back to their house and I fell into bed and possibly got distracted with a book and read until 1am!  Ouch!

Up to have a cuppa with Col before heading to Sanson for a brekkie with her.  She dropped Frida off at the kennels as they were both away for the weekend to a family wedding.

I'd just ordered our breakfast and Col's coffee just got made when they had a power cut.  They asked me if I was in a hurry and I asked how long it takes to get to Taupo from here.  They said 2.5 hours (must have a Gilbert gene) so I said we were in no hurry.

Cute wee car

Iced coffee was sweet but quite good.

Eventually the power came back on and we got a yummy breakfast.  And I got my iced coffee.  Col and I chatted away and eventually I had to head off.  I filled up at the Z there and headed north.  Music on, singing away.

I found the accommodation around 1.30pm and settled in.  Moved in my bike and gear and then went into town to collect the race packs.

I got James' pack, and Sreejith's.  And Mike's - but he didn't need one as he wasn't riding.  Still, he'd paid for his entry so I picked up his pack.

I managed to change Sreejith and James to different groups.  Sreejith and his family just arrived so I went to chat to them.  James and Celia were held up in diabolical traffic so they arranged to meet me at our house around 8.30pm.

I went back home and got the bike ready.  Did a glass inspection as per Andrew's lessons to me.  Didn't do me much good as you will see.  :-(

When Celia and James arrived to collect his race pack, I chatted to them for a bit, before heading to bed in a coma.  I had the best sleep ever.  But I did wake up at 5am, an hour before my alarm was due to go off.

Got my bib

Mike woke up with me, which was nice as he'd only had 4 hours sleep by then.  He and Toby had left late from Wellington and got in around midnight.

I ate scrambled eggs and porridge.  I brought the omelette maker with me to cook an omelette.  But when I prepared my egg and opened the omelette maker, I discovered I had brought the sandwich press instead.  Oops.

Soon I was ready - trouble was I was about 2.5 hours early.  So Mike and I went back to bed.  Hahah.

Anyway, around 8am we got in the car and Mike took me close to the start as he could get.  We pushed the bike and I got some of my nerves out of the way by just enjoying Mike's steady hand in mine.  Found the W2 start group.  Found James waiting for his start.  Got hugs from him and Celia.  Met his mate Grant too.

Then I was in my group, approaching the start line.  I chatted to the woman next to me.  Emily Junck (it helps that we all have our names on our bibs).  Talk about amazing.  She'd just moved here from Seattle 2 months ago, did no training, had no one here to support her and just turned up to ride the whole way.  I hope she did well.

Anyway, our race started around 8.55am, I guess.  The conditions were overcast, possibly rainy and not a lot of wind.  Almost perfect, really.  In my start group there were about 8 women.  Not enough for a bunch to form, so that was disappointing.

Off I go!

I was riding by myself, but passing back and forth with a few people I started to recognise.  I was passing people from the previous group as well.  I was under my mark for 20km by about 4 or 5 minutes, and again at 40km.  So I was chuffed with my time.  But at the 50km mark I felt my back tyre start to bump a lot.  I looked at the road and it was super bumpy so I was hoping it was just that.  But I got onto slightly smoother road and the bumping continued.  I stopped in a road entrance and looked down.  Back tyre was flat.  Doh!

I jumped off and took all my gear out for changing it.  New tube.  Levers.  A lot of people asked if I was ok.  That was nice.  I finally got my back tyre off and the tube out when the mechanic support van pulled up.  Some nice young man whose bike had broken and was getting a lift came out and helped me change it.  He inspected the tyre and I pulled out a decent rose thorn/prickle thing.  I reckon that was the culprit.

He got my tube back in and pumped up and left for his van ride back.  Poor guy.  I got my tyre back on and then headed off again.

By this time I was held up easily by 20 mins or slightly more.  Gah!  And I had even less people around me to ride with.  So I was alone for the rest of the race.  I did overtake relay riders though.

Bottom of Kuratau Hill I spotted Celia and she cheered me on.  I loved coming down Waihi hill into Tokaanu.

I saw Mike and Toby cheering me on at Turangi - super nice to see them.  I got there at about 5 hours and 5 mins.  I really tried to ride hard for the next stretch.  I got to the bottom of Hatepe hill at 5 hours 55 mins and got to the top by 6 hours 5 mins.  From there, it was good that the wind wasn't too fierce so I tried to ride hard again.  I made it to the finish by 6 hours 55 minutes.

My official result

Phew!  I totally would have easily made my 6 hours 30 mins goal without the puncture.  So I am fairly happy.  It was 25 minutes faster than my previous time, even so.

And now I have a goal for next year.  Right?

I saw Mike and Toby cheering me over the finish line, and Sreejith and his family doing the same.  I met Celia and James (and Celia's mother) at the end.  So much support.  And so many texts wishing me luck.  I was really happy with everyone just willing me on.

We got back home and I showered and then we got some food and headed to Celia and James' accommodation.  James works with Sally and they live in Taupo (Sally and her partner Greg).  I don't think I have ever been felt so welcome to someone's house before.  Wow!  They were amazing people.  Toby played with their wee pup, Willis.  He is a Shihtzu/Bichon cross.  Toby asked if we could visit them again when we were leaving.  I think he also realised how welcoming Sally and Greg were.  We had a wonderful dinner - I got a scotch fillet steak for my riding efforts and it was cooked perfectly.  Yummy salads.  Yep - a perfect way to end the day.

Back home for a well needed sleep.  My head hit the pillow and I was out for the count.  Even with Toby listening to a Harry Potter movie right next to our room.

Replete cafe iced coffee

Next morning we got up and packed up and planned to meet Sreejith and his family at Replete Cafe.  But as we grabbed a table Sreejith had backed his bike rack into his rear windscreen.  Smashed it.  Doh!  Bad luck.

They managed to meet us for breakfast and sort out a temporary cover for the window for their drive home.

Did bump into Helen, Iona and Col's friend.  She did the twice around Taupo.  And she looks so normal on the outside.  Hahah.  She said it was tough.  No wonder!  it was tough just going around once!

Willis on top of Toby

Willis and Toby

 We left to drive home and made good time.  Home by 2pm.  Felt a wee quake last night.  Still shaky here a bit.

Thank you to everyone for wishing me well.  I had such a good time.  Can't wait for next year already.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with packing for the weekend

Hi,

Toby came to town for his optometrist appointment after school and I met him for that.  He was running late so Mike got him an uber.  

Turns out his eyes are quite stable and haven't changed much from last year.  Yay!

We met Mike after his work was done for the day and we all took the bus home.  The slow bus.  Through Kelburn.

Ravioli and yummy salad

But I cooked tea when we got home and it was really yummy.  Ravioli with roast zucchini and capsicum salad.   Mmmmm.

I finished packing for the weekend and then Mike and I watched some National Geographic thing on missions to Mars.  Dramatised documentary style.  It was ok.

It surely sent me to sleep, that's for sure.

Toby is off school today - he's a bit sick.

Up early to pack the car for the weekend.  I drove in and will leave tonight to head north.  See you on Monday to tell you all about the race!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with nothing on

Hi,

I managed to catch up with Serge in a coffee date, and that may have been the highlight of my manic day.  His mother is not well, so he's heading back for a long visit to see if he can help.

Iced coffee date with Serge

I did get to the gym though for a great RPM session with Sreejith.  And then I met the personal trainer and he took me through a few things.  Including some weird bear claw pose.  I think he was having a laugh.

Apparently this might be a bear claw pose

 I had to hang on rings for as long as possible.  I didn't hang on for long.  And I was hopeless with the standing on one leg and closing my eyes thing.  Ok.  I have to practise before my follow up session.

Rode home and sorted out some food for Toby before collapsing on the couch.  Went to collect Mike from Park St and then collapsed some more.  Hahah.

Right.  Time to get the day on track.  Enjoy yours!

Love,
Angela

The Monday back at work

Hi,

Well, I was back at work like usual.  But at 4.30pm Mike's building was evacuated due to white powder discovered in the lift shaft.  If it's anything like our building, it'll be ground up gib board dust.

Anyway - it did mean by the time I got home, Mike had cooked tea.  Yum!  Fish.  We all loved it.

Fish - and my electrolyte so I am used to it by the race day this weekend

The day was stunning and the evening lovely, although the wind had kicked up by then.  The cat loved the deck.  She'd run out, poke around, get spooked by gusts and hurtle back in.  She was loving it!

Mike and I went to bed to finish watching The Crown.  We've done the season now in a marathon effort.  Quite enjoyed it really.

Ok.  Time for a coffee date with Mike.  Hope your day is fun!

Love,
Angela

The weekend with an exhibition

Hi,

Well, after an odd week, the weekend was surprisingly normal really.  The boys got home on Friday and Toby heard he got 86% in his science exam the day before (Thurs).  He thought his Maths exam was the hardest, but he hopes he did ok.  I was very proud of his science achievement.

I got up super early on Saturday and headed out to collect Andrew from his place in the wee green car.  I took a photo of the stick insect on the garage first though.  And for some reason I couldn't unlock the car so I made poor Mike get out of bed and it unlocked immediately for him.  Andrew and I headed up to Palmerston North, checking out slips along the way (a fair bit - we could see where slips closed SH1).  Met Iona and Col at Moxies on George St and enjoyed a lovely brekkie there.

Moxies iced cofee

From there we wandered around to the gallery where Iona's weaving Masters course were exhibiting their graded items.  Wow!  Iona is very talented and her classmates are as well.  The ideas collated over the years of the course and executed so well were amazing to see.  And this is from me, who knows nothing about weaving techniques but can appreciate art and effort and creativity.

Back to Iona and Col's place for lunch and the cousins arrived from Chch and Wellington to also see the exhibition.  Liz, Rowena and Alison.  So it was a marvellous catch up time for lunch for all the cousins.  And me and Col.  Hahah.

Stick insect on the garage

Andrew and I left when Iona took her second entourage through the exhibition.  It was a lovely drive back and I was home to see Mike before too long.

Emerson and Duncan were visiting for a sleepover so it was nice to see them after not seeing them for a wee while.  To say I saw them might be pushing the boundaries of the sentiment there.  They enjoyed the computer time and Toby's company more than mine.  But when food was presented, I did get to see them.

A lazy day Sunday where Mike and I watched a television series - very unusual for us.  Gorgeous day it was too.  Tried to clear the garage - put it off for a few weeks,

Right.  We're back at work now and although our building is in the news a lot, it is just cosmetic damage and the building is fine!

Enjoy your week.  I have a short week - Friday off to head to Taupo for the big race.  So excited I can barely sleep.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday back at home

Hi,

Well, we all got told to work from home for the rest of the week while they double check the building.  A few buildings in the CBD have had subsequent checks and have been deemed unsafe.  So I think we're just being cautious.  The building is fine, I'm sure.  But let's see what they say.

It was a good day to stay home as there was a strong southerly storm change around mid morning.  Made for some excitement on the weather front.

I don't recall feeling any aftershocks yesterday.  I did go around to see Ange for a cup of tea between meetings.  She is good but much happier riding out aftershocks at home.  Office buildings give her the creeps in quakes.  Fair enough.

I did get a bit of work done, which was good.  And cooked tea for the boys.  Lamb.  Mmmm.

Lamb and potato smash - with salad

For some reason I had less sleep than preferred.  Maybe I need to read less.  Maybe Mike needs to read less of the entire Internet!

But, at home again today.  Toby has his last exams today.  He seems happy with the ones he did yesterday.  I hope he can say the same when he gets home today.

It's the weekend!  Almost.  Yay!  Off to Palmerston North tomorrow morning to see Iona's exhibition with Sally and Andrew.  And back home to see Emerson and Duncan who will come for a sleepover while Josh is otherwise occupied with Scout stuff.  Choice!  And I hope to get a bike ride in of about 50kmn as I taper for the following weekend's race around Taupo.  Oosshhh!

Have a great weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday back at work

Hi,

Well, that was a short lived working in the office week.  They sent us home for further building inspections to occur.  So today (Thurs) and probably Friday I am working from home.

I went home with Mike after work yesterday on the bus.  Molesworth St is closed due to a building about to collapse so our bus was rerouted up Hill St and along Tinakori to Park St.  That took 25 mins because all the cars were also trying to head down the same route.

Anyway - we got home ok and I cooked tea.

Pork kofta - yummy

We had pork kofta - on fragrant rice.  With a slaw of some sort.  I liked it.

Mike worked with the cat on his shoulders.  Hahah!

She likes this perch

So, today is Toby's big exam day.  He has 3 on today (and I think another one tomorrow).  I hope he does well.

And I am at home.  Working.

Hope your day is marvellous!

Love,
Angela

The weekend with an earthquake at the very end and working from home

Hi,

Well, that was an unusual end to the weekend.  Mike went away to Ruapehu in the silver bullet and Toby and I stayed home due to Toby's vomiting illness.  But by Saturday afternoon Toby was fine.

We went to have dinner in town and went to see Arrival.  We both really enjoyed it.  It was more cerebral than the trailers led us to believe.  Not exactly an action film.  But we thought it was good.

OCD Toby lines up the chips when he's done

On Sunday we went into town to have Yum Cha together.  Toby loves the Grand so we went there.  I was disappointed with it.

Dishing up sticky rice

Mmmmm - more sticky rice

Mike got home not long after us from his weekend away and we relaxed before dinner and an early bed.

But at midnight, I woke to the start of a long earthquake.  I mumbled "Earthquake" to Mike and he roused himself.  I kinda like that earthquakes don't wake him, but a whispered word from me brings him out of his deep slumber.  As the quake continued, I got out of bed and contemplated getting under it, or beside it in the 'triangle of safety'.  Mike elected to stay under the duvet in the 'rectangle of apathy'.  A photo fell off the bed head and landed on my pillow.  That's never happened before!

The shaking lasted about a minute and Toby came up and stayed with us for about another 40 mins.  Eventually he went back to his bed and we all went back to sleep.

Up in the morning to find out that chaos had pretty much ensued during our sleep.  The CBD was closed for building inspections.  Toby's school was closed.  Kaikoura had been cut off from the outside world (with Richard's brother out of comms for quite a while before he could get in contact to say he was ok) and Lower Hutt had been evacuated due to tsunami risk.  Sally and Andrew (and Celia and her family) spent many hours on the top of Wainuiomata hill.

Toby slept in a lot and Mike and I worked from the dining table.  We popped around to see Fiona and Brendon for a cup of tea and met Joan (from the corner) and Amy.

Perk of working from home - Lewis Road iced coffee

At 4pm we met workmates in town and went into work to get laptops.  Dropped them off in Karori and went back home.

Tuesday was working from home day - with Toby at school.  But his bus didn't come so he was dropped off by Mike.  A few aftershocks felt, but they are dropping off.  Mike collected Toby at the other end of the day and experienced traffic chaos.  Molesworth St is now closed as a high rise building there is apparently about to collapse.

Tuesday was crazy weather day.  I have never seen such fierce lashing rain.  Wow!

I took the bus in this morning because it just seemed crazy with the weather still really bad.  But with Molesworth closed I am unsure how the buses will get home.  I might aim for a 13 as they go a different way.

Right.  Tea will sort everything out.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with Toby sick

Hi,

Well, I am unsure what Toby has, but it involves a bit of vomiting.  How pleasant for him.  At least he's old enough to make it to a bucket by himself.  Poor kid.

It does mean that our packing for the weekend is no longer needed.  Mike is now going by himself.  I'll stay here and look after wee Toby.  I think movies while staying warm and dry will be the order of the day.

Dinner was a yummy chicken thai noodle thing

Anyway - I rode home yesterday and cooked tea.  Toby had a wee bit.  Mike and I thought it was scrumptious.

Sat on the couch to unwind and Mike played with my hair.  Mmmmm.  What a lovely way to spend an evening.

We're switching our plans for the weekend with Toby being sick.  It's not fair to take him in the car to Ruapehu and then in the lodge.  I'll go for a run early tomorrow, and maybe fit in a gym visit.  Possibly I might get a ride in on Sunday.  That should be a good weekend for training.

Mike will likely do a big walk up at the mountain.  Not sure of the weather forecast.  Ruapehu didn't look great for the weekend.  I must check Wellington now and see what the two days look like.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Here's hoping wee Toby comes right.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with packing for the weekend

Hi,

I rode home and enjoyed dry conditions - yay!  The really weird news was that it was looking like Trump would win the presidential race - how jolly confounding!  And, by the time I woke up this morning, it was all confirmed.  Oh well.  Let's see what happens now.

When I got home I started packing for the weekend.  Toby and I have almost got our stuff packed - a little more tonight and we're good to go.  We're off to Ruapheu for the weekend.  But Mike and I have cycling plans - not tramping plans.

This morning Mike was in some hyper good mood - he might have been counteracting my mood.  Not too sure.  And he hadn't even had coffee by that stage.  He's listening to soothing Scottish women from The Guardian newspaper website calming the general populace down from their frantic political concerns.  Maybe that has worked wonders for him?

Didn't work for me.

But - I saw ducks this morning, walking up Norwich St.  It was certainly the weather for them.  Not sure where they came from.  The stream in Otari Wilton bush?  That's a lot of road and footpath to negotiate.

Ducks on the road!

A bit of zoom shows ducks on the footpath!

Right - anyway.  Time to kick off the frantic day.  Let's see how it all pans out.  And I hope I get to my RPM session today.

Have a fantastic day.  It has to be a better day than how Hilary Clinton feels right now!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that really should have been a Thursday

Hi,

Happy birthday to Vivienne today!  Woot!

I feel like I have been at work for an entire week already - what's with it being on Wednesday this morning?

Another Mojo iced coffee

I did get to Mojos during the day for an awesome iced latte.  Yum!

I got home and started cooking tea - it was lamb tonight.  With kumara chips.  All very tasty.

Lamb for tea

Mike called and wanted a lift home from town, and my road bike was ready to collect, so I picked up Mike and Andrew from town, and dropped Andrew home.  We chatted to Gary and headed back home with my bike that is now super fast!  Those new bottom brackets will knock 5 mins off my Taupo time!

My ride in this morning was heavenly.  I hooned down the hill.  I think.  My bike computer is missing so I can no longer tell how fast I am going.

But time to kick start the day.  And I have a client meeting in the Hutt this morning.  That should be slightly weird.

Enjoy your day!
Love,
Angela

The Monday at the start of the week

Hi,

Well, not sure what was happening in Wellington when I left work at 5.30pm, but The Terrace was completely broken and traffic was at a standstill.

I sat in the car, reading, because the traffic couldn't get out of the car park onto The Terrace - it was banked up all the way back to the entrance.

But, once whatever was causing the jam cleared, it seemed to come right.  By the time Mike got to the car at 6.15pm, we just drove straight out.

Fish - mmmmm

I cooked tea while Mike sorted out his homework.  We took Toby through some science revision.  Toby and I both taught Mike that Vitamin D came from the sun, and Vitamin C was from citrus fruit.  He was sure it was the other way around and blamed the Refresh ads on TV when he was little.  Something about seeing the sun on the packet with Vitamin C bandied about.  Whatever!  We convinced him with the power of Google that he was wrong.  He wasn't about to believe me and Toby.

Anyway - we had brekkie in town this morning with Kate (colleague from Chch).  It was good and now I am completely full.

Have an awesome day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with a long bike ride for me, movies for Toby and tramping for Mike

Hi,

After a tough week, it was good to head home.  I dropped Mike off at the ferry terminal where the WTMC tramping club vans are stored - he had a long drive ahead of him up to Ruapehu.  It sounds like he had a great weekend up there at the lodge with a group from WTMC. The weather was pretty changeable and he even thinks he woke up with the aftermath of a migraine on Sunday morning, but they got some good walks in and found some sun in between the showers if the photos are anything to go by.

Anyway, I collected burgers for Toby and I after dropping Mike off.  We relaxed and didn't do very much for the evening.

I like this Mojo iced latte

A fairly lazy start to the Saturday.  We read and watched videos until Toby had to go out to meet Tessa and see Dr Strange.  I went grocery shopping after dropping him off in town.

Toby rang me when the movie was finished and I collected him from town.  Town was pumping because of the Guy Fawkes display at 9pm but we went home.  Toby contented himself with watching the neighbours displays from the lounge with Smudge.

I tried to get to sleep early, but fireworks kept jolting me awake.  Had a restless sleep and woke well before my 5am alarm.  Got up and tried my pre Taupo breakfast.  I ate Weetbix and an omelette.  It seemed to work ok.

I left home at 6am and drove to Sally and Andrew's house.  Hopped on my bike and headed to James'  house to collect him.  Then we went down to Ngauranga, up there, into Jville, through Tawa, meandered through Porirua, Aotea, Whitby and over Haywards.

Our ride

Then we headed up SH2 to Whitemans Valley.  I eventually found Blue Mountain Road and we headed up there.  But three quarters the way up a cycling race came up.  A motorbike rider said we were about to get swamped.

So we cut our losses and headed back down the hill.  Yeah - there were a lot of riders coming up.  But I think we would have been fine!

Anyway, we headed back and I got a cup of tea at James' house.  Chatted to Celia and the girls.  Met the dog and cat too!

Then I went to get changed at Sally and Andrew's house.  They weren't home so I changed on their front porch behind their bush!  But as I left to take my bike to Gary's for a service, they arrived!  So I dropped my bike off and came back for a nice cuppa.

Headed off to Queensgate to get presents for a colleague whose wife just had their second baby and then came home.  Left again just before Mike got home to visit Helen and Ron for tea.  Had a great catch up with everyone.

And a great ride in this morning on dry roads!  Woot!

Have a great week!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with an awesome evening bike ride

Hi,

Every Thursday I wear my purple shirt.  For "Purple shirt Thursday".  Because it is a thing.  Anyway, yesterday our entire pod had everyone wearing a shade of purple.  Woot!

Purple shirt Thursday is a thing!

I met James after work at the train station and we rode from there, up Ngauranga Gorge, then up through Newlands to Woodridge.  Took a look at the new houses being built before coming down the gorge (ok, I made James go really slow there!) and back up SH2.

We went along the esplanade, through some backblocks behind Seaview and up Wainuiomata Hill.  It nearly killed me.  My legs were feeling very jelly-like by the time we got to the top.  The ride down into Waianuiomata and back up was pretty good though.  The road down into the Hutt was better than I expected too.

I went to Sally and Andrew's house and almost accidentally spoke to Sally in China (she's attending a conference there this week) before I hung up when I remembered.  Andrew got home and we had a cup of tea before Mike drove out to collect me.

Mike is off to Ruapehu this weekend.  Should be fun for him.  Toby has a movie date.  I have a bike ride planned.  Busy weekend.

Hope your weekend is loads of fun, like ours sounds.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday that was busy

Hi,

What a busy day.  And in the afternoon, my colleague's wife had a wee baby girl.  So, even busier for some!

After the hectic day, I rode home and made plans for doing a long bike ride after work today (Thursday).  Got my gear ready and planned to get my work clothes into work.  But, when Mike got home from his various activities (bottling his home brew and some tramping van key thing), we decided he'd bring my work clothes in and we'd just go grocery shopping instead.

So, we headed out after Mike's tea to New World.  Got our groceries (yay - I have my lunch at work today!) and headed home.  Mike washed his bottled beer down and set it up somewhere to sit for two weeks before it becomes drinkable.

Had a lovely ride in this morning on my road bike.  Stunning morning.  Hope it stays that way for this evening's bike ride with James.  Oossshh!

Have a brilliant day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with tramping for Mike

Hi,

I went to the gym and headed back to work and caught the running of the Melbourne Cup.  Great race.  But my horses were pretty much absent.

I cooked tea for me and Toby.  Yummy.  Stuffed chicken breast with paprika chips and some rocket salad thing.

Yummy tea!

Mike got home and had a good tramp up from the Beehive to our place with a Meetup group.  He helped me with tea and then disappeared to a tramping club meeting.

By the time he got home late, I was almost asleep.  And within seconds of him getting home, I was asleep.

Wet ride into work this morning.  Everything is damp!

Mike is off to bottle his beer tonight (possibly - I think) so I'll ride home and cook tea for me and Toby and look at Toby's science homework prep for his exam in a few weeks.  I like science!  Hahah.

Have a great day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with Halloween

Hi,

What a beautiful day in Wellington yesterday.  I rode home with Mike after popping into the New World supermarket to stock up on lollies for the evening.

The neighbourhood was buzzing with kids out trick or treating.  Toby was awfully excited when I got home and went out as soon as we got there.  His mate Zach was also going with him.

Halloween in Wellington

Toby and Zach are ready 

 Ange texted and asked me around for a cup of tea.  Best cup of tea in ages!  Had a good chat and enjoyed the view from her house.

Back home and Toby had to finish some homework after his trick or treating fun.  He did it in the end.  Lucky Tuesday mornings are his sleep in morning (his school starts late on Tuesdays).

Time for a tea and to start the day.  Good bike ride in.

Love,
Angela